Many people feel a twinge of fear when it’s time to visit the dentist. Unfortunately, this sometimes keeps them from visiting the dentist in a timely fashion which may have an adverse impact on not only their oral health, but their overall physical health. In addition, avoiding the dentist often makes problems worse, inflating the cost of oral care as it becomes necessary to perform more in-depth procedures in order to correct the problem.
Take 4 steps in the right direction
1. Trust
The first and perhaps the most important step you can take is to trust your dentist. As is the case in virtually any other relationship, you cannot visit your dentist without anxiety if there is a lack of trust. Take the time to find a dentist that you can trust and you will have taken a giant stride toward eliminating pain and fear simultaneously.
2. Be honest
Try to be completely open with your dentist. If you have anxiety about going to the dentist, let them know it up front. Don’t downplay your fears and anxieties or act braver than you feel. This does a disservice to both of you because it does not give your dentist the opportunity to help you relax and find ways to overcome your fear. Regardless of how honest you feel you can be, never take calming medications or drink alcohol before you visit the dentist. This can produce an exceptionally dangerous situation.
3. Have faith in technology
There is so much new technology available that dentistry has evolved a great deal from what it was only a few years ago. Using new technology allows many dentists to eliminate pain and anxiety in innovative ways.
- For example, many dentists are now using more holistic dentistry methods to help you eliminate fear and reduce your level of anxiety, thereby reducing pain.
- Using certain lighting in a room or using music therapy to help you relax are two of the predominant ways that dentists are transforming the way that dentistry is performed.
- Dental sedation is also available for those who’s fears are very difficult to overcome.
4. Find the right atmosphere
Have you ever heard of a dental spa? While not entirely accurate, dentists have found ways to make your visit feel a lot less clinical, helping you to relax more and making the entire process much more enjoyable. Imagine being able to go to the dentist and hear the sounds of music or smell the scent of lavender, much as you would at a day spa or similar outing. It may be hard to imagine going to the dentist and being as relaxed as you would if you are going to get a massage, but that is what many dentists are working very hard to achieve.
Questions?
Feeling confident about your dental care is important. If you have any questions about how you can find relief from your dental anxiety, please ask me and I’lll reply by tomorrow.
